Trade Deadline Target: Hunter Pence

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The Texas Rangers have been serious players at the MLB trade deadline since Jon Daniels became the club's general manager, and this year will be no different. Let's take a look at a possible Rangers target for the July 31 deadline.

Target:Hunter Pence, OF, San Francisco Giants

The Giants have said they will not listen to trade offers for the veteran outfielder, who also happens to be an Arlington native and a graduate of Arlington High School who went on to play at UTA and broke into the league with the Houston Astros.

But that makes absolutely no sense. The Giants are not going to win the NL West and probably won't make the playoffs. Oh, and Pence is one of those good ol' trade-deadline rentals as he'll hit free agency this winter. It makes no sense if the Giants shut down talks on Pence before they even begin, so it's most likely just a leverage move by the Giants' front office to build up a market for Pence, who's a solid player and a great team leader.

Pence is hitting .268 with 14 homers and 50 RBIs this season and is 14-for-14 on stolen-base attempts this season. That would give the Rangers exactly what they need — another bat on the right side with some pop who can play the corner outfield and relieve David Murphy of being an everyday player. Also, if Nelson Cruz gets suspended, the Rangers would have some insurance in right field.

Pence makes perfect sense for the Rangers, and dealing Pence should make perfect sense for the Giants.